Annual Report 2011 / 2012 - Bawso · Bawso Annual Report 2011 - 2012 14 People from Black and...

Annual Report

2011 / 2012

Charity No. 1084854

ASP SP03-064

Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3152590

Darparu gwasanaethau arbenigol i gymunedau Du a Lleiafrifoedd

BAWSO- Head Office 9 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, CF11 9HA Tel: 029 20644633 Fax: 029 20644588 [email protected]

MERTHYR TYDFIL Teulu Mac 47-48 Pontmorlais West, Merthyr, CF47 8UN Tel: 01685 375394 Fax: 029 20644588 [email protected]

NEWPORT 1st & 2nd Floor 112/113 Lower Dock St, Newport, NP20 2AF Tel: 01633 213213 Fax: 01633 213213 [email protected]

SWANSEA 63 Mansel St, Swansea, SA1 5TN Tel: 01792 642003 Fax: 01792 645207 [email protected]

WREXHAM 33 Grosvenor Rd, Wrexham, LL11 1BT Tel: 01978 355818 Fax: 01978 355707 [email protected]

www.bawso.org.uk

24 Hour Helpline 0800 731 8147

Darparu gwasanaethau arbenigol i gymunedau Du a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig

‘I need the support with getting permission to stay here

with my daughter. I didn’t know what you have to do, and

my support worker here (BAWS0) has helped me to

understand what I have to do and the solicitor has also

said I have rights like everybody else. I want to move

forward with my daughter here because if I go back we

will be killed or the same things will happen again and I

don’t want that. I want to feel safe with my daughter. I

worry about this all the time. She is only four years old

but has seen so many bad things’.

Service User, Bawso Diogel Project.

http://www.facebook.com/bawso

Bawso Annual Report 2011 - 2012

Implementation Management Team: Mutale Merrill OBE- Chief Executive

Samsunear Ali- Deputy Chief Executive

Angelina Rodriques- Deputy Chief Executive

Dr Mwenya Chimba- Violence Against Women Director

Rakhshanda Shahzad- Service Delivery Director

Wanjiku Mbugua- North Wales Regional Manager

Mariam Elmirghani- South East Wales Regional Manager

Helida Ramogi- South West Wales Regional Manager

Board Members:

Chetna Sinha - M Sc; LLB; PGC CIM - Chair

Adaugo Emezie - BA PGDCS MSc MBCS - Vice Chair

Vimla Patel MBE -Treasurer

Tahmina Khan - DipSW

Selina Moyo - BA MA

Sylvia Newman

Edwin Yhap - B.Eng (Mech), CCS, ASW, PTA, PQSW, PGC

Jennifer Allen - B Ed English

Rubila Malik - BA Hons

Darparu gwasanaethau arbenigol i gymunedau Du a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig

20

Financial Statement 2011 - 2012

Contact us for full details of our 2011 - 2012 accounts.

Total Incoming Resources: £2,454,209


Total Resources Expended £2,267,333

19

In addition to our language support project, we also offer

interpretation and training services for a fee.

BAWSO Interpretation and Training Services (BITS) raises funds for

women with no recourse to public funds.

Currently Bawso has over 170 interpreters on its database. Between

them our interpreters speak around 60 languages and dialects. Most

of BAWSO staff members are also multilingual and between them

speak 33 different languages. BITS deliver training on the following

subject areas;

Domestic Abuse from a BME Perspective

Cultural Diversity

Forced Marriage

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Supporting people with No Recourse to Public Funds

Understanding Human Trafficking

BAWSO Interpretation and Training Services (BITS)


This annual report gives us an opportunity to reflect on the work

that we have done in Bawso 2011 to 2012. It is an opportunity to

thank all our Staff, Volunteers and Partners for their efforts and

commitment in providing a safe and secure service to people from

Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities affected by Domestic

Abuse and other forms of abuse.

Last year was a challenging year for the organisation. We had to

have a conversation within ourselves on how to ensure that we

continue to provide the same level of services with reduced

financial resources. We are pleased to advise that in spite of

reduced financial resources, we have managed to sustain the

same level of service and developed the following:

Floating Support Project in Caerphilly

Expansion of the IDVA Project to Wrexham

Increasing the capacity of the Development, Research

& Information Department

We are now looking forward to developing new projects in South

East, South West and North Wales in 2012/2013, along with

strengthening our external and internal communications.

1


2 Bawso Annual Report 2011 - 2012

Last year we supported 2,065 service users in our projects. In

addition to this we supported 1,777 people who contacted us for

advice & information.

During this year we have extended our Floating Support, Outreach,

Diogel, Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) services to

105 men. In December we developed a new post to support men in

the Cardiff area.

The year ahead may be challenging but we look forward to

developing our areas of work further.

Mutale Merrill OBE

Chief Executive

Chetna Sinha Msc LLB

Chair

18

Volunteering plays an integral part in Bawso’s provision and

delivery of a holistic service to BME people suffering from

domestic violence and other forms of abuse. Bawso has worked

with volunteers since our inception. Volunteers are recruited

across Wales and last year we worked with 86 volunteers.

Volunteers bring many benefits to the organisation including

diversity, innovation and enthusiasm, and are a valuable source

of flexible and informal support, which provides added value to

Bawso’s more formal support services.

Volunteer Project

Volunteer for Bawso! Full training and support is provided.


17

Information gathered by our Research and Information project forms a

solid evidence base to develop and deliver services to men women and

children fleeing domestic violence and other forms of abuse. The

project also informs policy development in the sector through active

participation.

Research is conducted on various aspects our work to keep abreast of

emerging trends, policy development, and the impact they may have

on the services we provide.

In March 2012, we appointed a Research & Information Manager, and

Communications Coordinator to work alongside the Violence Against

Women Director and to strengthen our work in this area.

Bawso research reports:

Protecting Black and Minority Ethnic Children: An Investigation of

Child Protection Interventions, (2012).

Locating BME Female BME Off Street Sex Workers in Cardiff (March,

2011)

The Hidden Scourge: Experiences of Sexual Violence among Black and

Minority Ethnic Women in Wales (March, 2011)

Supporting Women with No Recourse to Public Funds (July, 2011)

Female Genital Mutilation: Examining the practice in Wales (February,

2009)

Forced Marriage in Wales (2008)

Research & Information



Bawso works with many partner organisations across Wales. We

are grateful for the support they have given us over this past year

and look forward to continuing to work them over the coming 12

months. We especially would like to thank the following;

Welsh Government

Local Authorities:

Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen,

Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff,

Swansea, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Wrexham, Denbighshire,

Flintshire, Conwy, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire,

Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Powys.

Local Housing Associations

Women's Aid groups

Welsh Women's Aid

Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)

Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO)

Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS)

Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW)

Black & Minority Ethnic organisations

Black & Minority Ethnic communities in Wales

Committed Individuals from the Welsh communities

Board Members

Staff

Volunteers

Interpreters

Our thanks:

4

Bawso support people from Black

and Minority Ethnic backgrounds

who are affected by domestic abuse

and other forms of abuse, including

Female Genital Mutilation, Forced

Marriage, Human Trafficking and

Prostitution.

Established in 1995, Bawso is a

Welsh Government Accredited

Support Provider, delivering

specialist services through our

projects which supported 3,842

people last year in Wales.

We provide support, advice and

information from our offices in

Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport,

Swansea and Wrexham.

Our staff and volunteers are trained

to the highest standard and many

have received awards for the work

that they do.

Who we are:


16

Many BME people speak little or no English. We provide language

support through our paid interpreters to those accessing our

services. Service users from ethnic minorities fleeing domestic

abuse, receive support to help them understand issues relevant to

their lives and support in seeking help from other agencies. They

also gain a better understanding of their rights, to enable them to

improve the quality of their lives.

Throughout this project, Bawso recruits interpreters with familiar

cultural backgrounds who speak, understand, read and write

English and one or more ethnic languages to provide language

support. They undergo rigorous vetting and training to ensure

that we provide an excellent service.

Language Support


15

Women fleeing domestic abuse who are subject to immigration

control may not be entitled to access certain public services in the

UK.

Bawso supports women with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

The majority of women we support are victims of multiple forms of

violence including domestic abuse, rape, sexual abuse, FGM and

honour based violence. These women not only have the worry of

their financial and immigration issues but the trauma of having

undergone other forms of abuse.

Bawso is an active member of the National Campaign group to

abolish NRPF as well as the NRPF Home Office Advisory Group. We

actively participate in the UK wide campaign to abolish the NRPF rule.

We are able to support women with no recourse from our own

fundraising activities, the Sojourner Project and / or funding from

Social Services. During 2011 / 2012 we received requests for

support from 102 women, out of these we were only able provide

support to 45.

Bawso rely solely on staff and volunteers to raise funds for

the NRPF project. Please contact us if you would like further

information about the project or wish to make a donation.

Women With No Recourse To Public Funds



956

398318

150 108 65 23 19 16 120

200

400

600

800

1000

1200Total Number of Women & Children Supported

2011 - 2012

6

Bawso provide secure accommodation to Black and Ethnic Minority

women and children at risk of or suffering domestic abuse in Wales.

Refuge offers a safe breathing space where decisions can be made

free from pressure and fear. Domestic Abuse Support Workers and

Volunteers, ensure that we provide emotional and practical support

to women in our Refuges.

We respect and celebrate diversity by working with staff and

volunteers from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.

Our Refuge accommodation provides facilities including a prayer

room and Halal / vegetarian kitchens.

Last year we supported 506 service users. Out of these, 108 service

users were supported under refuge project and 398 service users

were supported under IDVA

(Independent Domestic

Violence Advocate) Project.

Refuge


14

People from Black and Minority Ethnic communities are more

likely to be poor, rates of employment are lower and

unemployment is higher.

Our project helps men from BME communities to improve living

standards, welfare, and social justice and reduce poverty.

We work with other agencies to provide support and information

on;

Employment

Training & volunteering opportunities

Immigration, homelessness and housing problems

Trafficking, forced marriage and domestic abuse.

Our pilot project commenced in

December 2011 and we supported 3

men during the period.

Men’s Project


13

National statistics reveal the continued disadvantage and

discrimination that many young people from Black and Minority Ethnic

backgrounds experience in terms of:

education

employment

poverty

homelessness / housing

physical and mental health

involvement in the criminal justice system

Bawso provide practical and emotional support to young people from

BME communities who have problems at home, in school, accessing

education, and training or employment opportunities.

Our project supports and empowers them in training and

development opportunities. We work

in partnership with schools, colleges,

training providers, employers and

other agencies.

Last year we supported 19 children

and young people.

Youth Development


7

Safe House accommodation provides tailored service for victims

who either have large families or cannot live in communal

settings. We have expertise in supporting families with complex

needs and/or teenage boys.

A woman and her family can stay in a Safe House for up to six

months during which time a Family Support Worker will provide

the necessary emotional and practical support and advice.

Bawso’s holistic services recognise diversity by offering

emotional and practical support throughout the transitional

period until the family move into

social housing.

To empower women to

empower their children to

make their lives better.

To increase each child/ young

person's developmental

wellbeing.

Last year we supported 12 service users under our Safe House

Project.

Safe House


8

Children are hidden victims of domestic

abuse and they can be affected in multiple

ways.

They can suffer from witnessing abuse and

pick up on the fear, anxiety and trauma of

the person being abused; they can also pick

up on the aggressive vibes from the

perpetrator of violence.

Bawso have specialist child care support workers who do a variety of

work with children, both individually and in groups. We work closely

with schools, Social Services, Health Services and other children's

organisations. The main aim of our childcare project is to meet

Cultural, Social, Practical, Educational and Religious needs of the

children;

To sustain the natural social and emotional development of

children and young people.

To enable children and young people to deal with the effects of

domestic abuse.

Last year we supported 120 children

under our Refuge / Safe House

project.

Child Care


12

The project was established in 2010 to support BME women and

young girls who have undergone or who are at risk of undergoing

Female Genital Mutilation.

We work with communities who are hard to reach or most inclined

to practice FGM. Our aim is to empower women in practicing

communities to be proactive in raising awareness on the

detrimental impact FGM has on lives of those who have been

affected by it.

We also work with men and community leaders, policy makers

and health professionals to support those who have undergone

FGM and to change attitudes towards the practice.

Bawso works to raise awareness of FGM and have produced an

Educational booklet for health practitioners to help women and

girls affected by or at risk of

FGM.

Last year we supported 16

service users under our Female

Genital Mutilation Project.

Female Genital Mutilation - Health & Safeguarding


11

Human trafficking is the second largest illegal trade in the world.

Victims of human trafficking are subjected to coercion, exploitation,

deception, kidnap, false imprisonment and rape. The Diogel Project was

set up in South Wales by Bawso in 2009 to provide support for victims

of trafficking.

In 2010 Welsh Government funded the expansion of the project to

North Wales in response to increased demand for the service. More

recently the Diogel Project was expanded to provide 10 units of secure

accommodation and 10 outreach units respectively under the new

contract with the Salvation Army. The project now provides 13 units of

secure accommodation and 20 outreach units across Wales.

Referral Criteria;

Is over 18 years of age

Has been trafficked in the U.K.

Subsequently exploited

Bawso also has the capacity to provide outreach support to both male

and female victims. Last year we supported 23 service users and 12

children under our Diogel Trafficking Project.

Diogel Project- Human Trafficking


9

Individuals or families leaving refuge accommodation may be

particularly vulnerable. Our Outreach Workers provide tapering

support as the family begins to live independently.

This service is also available to families in the community. We

meet anyone who accesses our Outreach Support Service in a

safe environment, and provide support and information to enable

them to make informed choices to help them live independently.

Last year we supported 65 service users and 74 children under

our Outreach Project.

Bawso is the largest provider of Floating Support to BME families

across Wales. Our project works in partnership with local

authorities and other relevant agencies to assist families to

maintain their tenancies in social housing and private

accommodation. Services offered include:

Advice on Housing and Tenancy issues

Support in moving home & resettlement

Welfare Benefit Advice

Employment Issues

Budgeting & Debt Management

Life Skills and training advice

Last year supported 318 service users and 496 children under

our Floating Support project.

Outreach & Resettlement

Floating Support


10

Without information and advice, individuals are not able to make

the right decisions about their own lives.

Bawso operates an open door policy to provide advice and

information. Our Advice Centers are based in Cardiff, Merthyr,

Newport, and Swansea & Wrexham. These are the first point of

contact for people in vulnerable situations.

The services include information

and advice on:

Domestic abuse

Welfare Rights

Counseling

Onward referrals are made to:

Refuge

Floating Support

Befriending scheme for women

Last year 764 women and 1,013 children have accessed our

Advice & Information Centres.

Advice & Information


Our Partners


Bawso works with many partner organisations across Wales. Without

their continued support and assistance, we would be unable to work as

effectively to support our service users.

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